This story is part of the series

Sunland Park elementary students get new Nike shoes

Desert View Elementary School students became the first New Mexico schoolkids to receive free shoes from the El Paso-based Braden Aboud Memorial Foundation, which formed 10 years ago in honor of an El Paso teen who died in a skiing accident.
Keri Hegre / Wochit

SUNLAND PARK — Class by class, students at a Sunland Park elementary school seated themselves on rows of chairs in the school's cafeteria and took off their shoes.

Then, each of the more than 500 students put on their new footwear: A pair of Nike tennis shoes.

It was a day students at Desert View Elementary had been awaiting — and working toward — for two months. Students had to carry out good deeds and show responsibility. Each act noticed by a teacher or school staff member resulted in a sticker, and students needed to get 24 to receive the new shoes, school officials said. Every student earned all the stickers necessary, according to school officials.

Brianna Guapo, a sixth-grader at the school, said she thought it was "really exciting and really cool we earned those (shoes)."

Asked about what she did to earn her stickers, Guapo replied: "I was responsible. I would bring my homework (to class). I would open the door for teachers. And I would do fairness because with my friends, I'd share with them."

Kyle Ramirez, tries on her new Nike sneakers on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 during the Braden Aboud Foundation Shoe Giveaway. Each student received a new pair of Nike sneakers during the event. "Umm these look good," said Ramirez as he took them out of the box.
Robin Zielinski / Sun-News

Nevaeh Lara looks back during the Braden Aboud Foundation Shoe Giveaway pep rally on Tuesday, March 21, 2017. Each student received a new pair of Nike sneakers during the event.
Robin Zielinski / Sun-News

Stacy Flores tries on her new Nike sneakers on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 during the Braden Aboud Foundation Shoe Giveaway. Each student received a new pair of Nike sneakers during the event.
Robin Zielinski / Sun-News

Delilah Carrillo, center, dances in the middle of a circle with her classmates during the Braden Aboud Foundation Shoe Giveaway pep rally on Tuesday, March 21, 2017. Each student received a new pair of Nike sneakers during the event.
Robin Zielinski / Sun-News

Desert View Elementary School students, staff and volunteers participate during the Braden Aboud Foundation Shoe Giveaway on Tuesday, March 21, 2017. Each student received a new pair of Nike sneakers during the event.
Robin Zielinski / Sun-News

Daniel Pineda smiles while he carries his new pair of shoes on Tuesday, March 21, 2017, during the Braden Aboud Foundation Shoe Giveaway. Each student received a new pair of Nike sneakers during the event.
Robin Zielinski / Sun-News

Jaime Velazco walks with a box of his new pair of shoes as he participates during the Braden Aboud Foundation Shoe Giveaway on Tuesday, March 21, 2017. Each student received a new pair of Nike sneakers during the event.
Robin Zielinski / Sun-News

Desert View Elementary School students, staff and volunteers participate during the Braden Aboud Foundation Shoe Giveaway on Tuesday, March 21, 2017. Each student received a new pair of Nike sneakers during the event.
Robin Zielinski / Sun-News

Desert View Elementary School students, staff and volunteers participate during the Braden Aboud Foundation Shoe Giveaway on Tuesday, March 21, 2017. Each student received a new pair of Nike sneakers during the event.
Robin Zielinski / Sun-News

Aimee Reyes tries on her new pair of Nike shoes on Tuesday, March 21, 2017, during the Braden Aboud Foundation Shoe Giveaway. Each student received a new pair of Nike sneakers during the event.
Robin Zielinski / Sun-News

Desert View Elementary School student Abby Flores, 10, tries on her new pair of Nike shoes on Tuesday, March 21, 2017, during the Braden Aboud Foundation Shoe Giveaway. Each student received a new pair of Nike sneakers during the event.
Robin Zielinski / Sun-News

Mikaela Gonzalez, center left, and Abraham Morales had help from Coronado cheerleaders Sydney Ward, left, and Natasha Marcum as they tried on their new shoes Tuesday at Desert View Elementary School in Sunland Park, N.M.
Victor Calzada/El Paso Times

Desert View Elementary School students are reflected in the glass of a frame which holds a photo of Braden Aboud. The children were on their way to receive new shoes at the annual Aboud Foundation shoe giveaway.
Victor Calzada/El Paso Times

First school in New Mexico

The El Paso-based Braden Aboud Memorial Foundation selected the Sunland Park elementary school for its 13th B STRONG Shoe Giveaway. It was the first time the organization, which formed 10 years ago in honor of an El Paso teen who died in a skiing accident, selected a recipient school in New Mexico.

Cindi Aboud, whose son Braden is the foundation's namesake, said the organization views Sunland Park as being strongly connected to the El Paso community, which is why it was considered for the shoe giveaway.

Buy Photo

Desert View Elementary School students walk past a poster board which had pictures of Braden Aboud and the school’s students of the week. (Photo: Victor Calzada/El Paso Times)

Aboud said her son loved shoes and would ask for a pair for birthdays or holidays, part of the reason the family began the giveaway in his honor. Also, she said she recalled he'd sometimes talk about how some sports teammates were at a disadvantage compared to others because their families couldn't afford good sports shoes.

"We chose Nike because it is a good-quality tennis shoe that most kids in low economic income areas can't afford to buy," she said.

Another aim of the initiative is to promote physical fitness, Aboud said. The foundation hosts a 5K run and walk that serves as the main source of funds for several of the group's projects, including the shoe giveaway. She's hopeful some of the Sunland Park students will participate in this year's event in May.

'Proud mama'

Buy Photo

Daniel Pineda smiles while he carries his new pair of shoes on Tuesday, March 21, 2017, during the Braden Aboud Foundation Shoe Giveaway. Each student received a new pair of Nike sneakers during the event.(Photo: Robin Zielinski / Sun-News)

Liliana Devora, mother of three students who attend Desert View Elementary, said her children have been on their best behavior the past two months. There have been few stray toys around the house. Rooms were clean. And sometimes, her children would ask her to take a photo of the clean rooms for evidence to give to teachers. She said the shoe giveaway teaches a lesson that hard work has its reward — even though it may not always come in the form of shoes.

"I'm happy, and I'm a proud mama," she said with a smile, as she watched the shoe distribution. "I believe they deserve them because they've been doing so good at school and at the house."

Devora said the new shoes also help financially with the family's budget. And because her three children play soccer, they'll be able to use their new footwear for that sport.

Before the giveaway, students gathered for a pep rally in front of the school. Chico, the mascot for the El Paso Chihuahuas, and cheerleaders from Franklin High School attended.

"To get a brand-new pair of shoes is a wonderful achievement and a wonderful gift to our community," said Sunland Park Mayor Javier Perea during the rally.

Buy Photo

Jonathan Velo enjoyed Chico’s antics as he waited for Jill McBeth to tie the laces on his new shoes Tuesday. (Photo: Victor Calzada/El Paso Times)

5K planned

Guapo said she enjoys softball and football, as long as it's not tackle football. And she's looking forward to putting her shoes to good use.

"I'm really into sports shoes because they're comfortable and they help me run," she said.

Sixth-grader Destinee Brisby said she and her classmates benefited from the donation in more than one way.

"They have not just given us the shoes; they have given us the change of character," she said. "We've been working really hard to show those character traits."

The yearly Braden Aboud Memorial Run/Walk is slated for 8 a.m. May 7 at the Zach White Elementary School parking lot, 4256 Roxbury Drive, in El Paso. The deadline for teams to register is April 21. Individuals may register the day of the event. For information, visit www.bradenaboud.com.

HUMANKIND: ACTS OF KINDNESS
Couple dreamed of big family so they adopted 7 siblings | 0:43

Jessaka and Josh decided on their first date they wanted to have at least 10 children and wanted many of them to be adopted. So when they met this sibling group of 7, they knew it was meant to be.
USA TODAY